The Primary Care Act, 2025, sets the Ontario government’s goals for primary health care. Its main aim is to ensure that people using Ontario’s health care system know what to expect from their primary care services. The Act emphasizes that primary care should be the first contact for insured people and that it should be organized well, help people stay healthy, and be easy to access. It also encourages team-based care, which involves different health professionals working together. The government will make an annual report to show progress on these goals. The Act states that there are no new legal rights created for individuals and any failure to follow the law does not change existing policies or decisions.
If you live in Ontario, this bill aims to improve your experience when seeking primary health care. You should be able to have a steady relationship with a health care team or doctor. Your care will be connected with other health and social services. Services should be available quickly, and everyone should be able to access care without facing discrimination or barriers. You will have access to your health information online through a digital system. The government will review how well the system is working once a year and will share this information with the public. These changes are meant to make health care more accessible, respectful, and easier to use.
Data unavailable. The bill does not include a detailed cost estimate or allocate specific funding for these changes. Implementing these objectives might require money for developing digital systems, training staff, and increasing staffing levels to meet timely access goals. The government has not provided a clear estimate of total costs or savings.
Supporters of the bill believe it will improve health care for everyone. They say it will help people get connected with a primary care provider and reduce delays in getting services. Advocates also believe that better coordination between health services will lead to healthier populations and lower overall health costs. They see the focus on digital access and respect for diversity as ways to modernize and improve fairness in health care. Overall, they think this bill will make primary care more effective and patient-centered.
Critics argue that the bill does not specify how the government will pay for these improvements. They worry that staff and resources may not be enough to meet the new goals for timely access and digital availability. Some also say that the bill lacks detailed plans on how to ensure all communities can benefit equally, especially marginalized groups like Indigenous peoples and French speakers. Opponents believe that without clear funding and implementation plans, these objectives may not be achieved or could face delays.